Kyshawn George Erupts, but Wizards Fall vs. Hawks in Atlanta

After falling on Wednesday night in a humbling showing at home, the Washington Wizards fell flat in Trae Young's homecoming game after dropping a second consecutive game against the Atlanta Hawks, this time a 137-132 defeat.

Kyshawn George finished just shy of recording a new career high after totaling 33 points and seven assists in 39 minutes, doing so while shooting over 52% from the field and 5-of-7 from three point in a monster night. Tre Johnson and Trae Young registered 23 points each, while Young notched his fourth 20-10 game this season. Alex Sarr tallied 13 points and eight rebounds in an up-and-down showing.

After entering the night with a questionable tag, Anthony Davis was ruled out ahead of tipoff due to his ankle injury, marking his first game missed through the first nine games of the 2026-27 regular season. Deandre Ayton, who tallied eight points and 11 rebounds, took his spot in the starting five.

The Wizards were punched in the mouth early after Atlanta grabbed onto an 18-8 lead behind sharp shooting and a slow start offensively for Washington, but they punched back. Part of that was from Tre Johnson, who knocked down two of his first three attempts from three point to cut into the deficit, eventually tying Kyshawn George with eight points apiece in the opening quarter.

Washington closed the first quarter on a 22-8 run over the final five minutes, but after taking a four point lead into the second quarter, the Hawks would once again retake the lead less than 100 seconds in. Hawks guard Aaron Wiggins was able to help give Atlanta separation after reaching double figures scoring, but Washington was able to cut the lead to as little as two after Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George connected for an alleyoop.

Trae Young was able to deliver a pair of highlights, first by dropping rookie guard Kingston Fleming before hitting a three, then coming up with a steal in the backcourt before his three made it a ten point deficit. Yet the fourth quarter would prove to be the Kyshawn George show after totaling 18 points over the final 12 minutes, doing so while shooting 4-of-6 from three. George would be the one to will Washington back into the game after knocking down back-to-back threes on consecutive possessions. Young would then draw a foul on a three point attempt, good enough to send him to the line and cut the deficit to one, but that would mark the closest the Wizards would get the rest of the night with Lu Dort delivering the dagger shots in the closing minutes.

Washington will look to bounce back when they stay on the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.